In Table 242 of its 1998 edition, the Statistical Abstract of
the United Statesstates that during the period 1976-80, 25.4% of
adults 20 years old and older were overweight or obese. During the period
1988-94, that number rose to 34.8%. By 1998 (table 197 of the 2001
edition), the number was 55.3%; and in 2006 (table 203 of the 2009 edition),
65.6% fell into these categories. Overweight is currently defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 25,
but less than 30. Obese individuals have a BMI 30 or greater. To determine BMI, one multiplies weight in pounds by
703; then divides that result by height in inches squared. If you want to
calculate
your BMI online, you can use the web page created by the Calorie Control Council.

Even more interesting to me than the actual overweight figures, were the percentage of
those who saw themselves as being overweight. During the period 1988-94, 81.7% of
men and 91.6% of women who were actually overweight recognized this. However, of
those not actually overweight, 25.4% of men and 44.1% of women saw themselves as being
overweight. (These figures are from Table 243 of the 1998 Statistical Abstract of
the United States.) One can't help but assume that all of those images of
thin, young models and actresses are convincing a great many healthy women that they need
to lose weight. On the other hand, since one regularly sees overweight men on TV and
in the movies, men are not as concerned as women.